The Soldotna boys basketball team was defeated 44-39 by Eatonville (Wash.) on Friday in the third-place game of the Clark Cochrane Christmas Classic in Ketchikan.

Eatonville now has placed in the top three in each of its three appearances at the tournament. The Cruisers were second in 2001 and won the event in 2009.

Eatonville used strong defense to control the game. Eatonville coach Mark Swartout told the Ketchikan Daily News that the team focused on stopping SoHi’s Evan Withrow, who had 12 points.

When SoHi cut Eatonville’s lead to three points in the fourth quarter, the Cruisers double-teamed Withrow so Tanner Fowler got a great look, but his 3-pointer rimmed out.

The Cruisers eventually hit four free throws to go up by seven and hold onto the win.

Erik Swartout had 12 points for the Cruisers, while Zach Fairhart added nine.

Cory Carver paced the Stars with 13 points.

Kenai girls 30, Seahawks 28

The Kardinals overcame a slow start in the first half to pick up a nonconference victory over the Seahawks on Friday at Kenai Central.

The Seahawks had a 7-3 lead after the first quarter and a 17-11 at halftime. The Kards came back to take a 23-22 lead after three quarters.

Kenai’s Sydney Taylor was the top scorer in the game, finishing with 13 points. Taylor also kept the Kards in the game in the first half. She scored all three of the team’s points in the first quarter and four of Kenai’s eight points in the second quarer. Justice English added seven points for Kenai.

Tessa Adelmann had 11 points to lead Seward before fouling out. Adelmann scored five of Seward’s seven points in the first quarter to help the Seahawks get off to a fast start. Meg Berry added seven points for Seward.

Kenai boys 64, Seward 36

The Kardinals and Seahawks failed to repeat their dramatic game of just before Christmas on Friday at Kenai Central in an endowment game.

On Dec. 17, Kenai and Seward played in the final of the Powerade/Al Howard Tip-Off at Soldotna. The Kardinals won that one 58-56 on a game-winning shot by AJ Hull with two seconds remaining.

Hull again led the Kards to victory Friday, netting 23 points. Kenai, which also received 18 points from Colton Hayes, led 22-11 at the end of the first half.

Jalen Terry had 12 points to pace Seward.

Skyview boys 48, Tikigaq 31

The Panthers posted a strong victory on Friday at the ACS Pepsi Invitational in Anchorage to even their record at the tournament.

The Panthers led 11-4 after the first quarter and 25-11 at halftime.

Jordan Jones scored 10 of his game-high 18 points in the first half to spark the Panthers. Micah Hillbish and DJ Diaz pitched in seven points for the Panthers.

For Tikigaq, Denzal Tooyak had 16 points.

Nome boys 51, Skyview 34

The Nanooks took down the Panthers on Saturday in the fourth-place game at the ACS Pepsi Invitational in Anchorage.